The swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States was a historic event that captured the attention of millions around the world. People from every corner of the globe tuned in to watch the inauguration unfold, eager to see what would happen next in this pivotal moment of American history.
While the inauguration was filled with grand ceremonies and speeches, one moment stood out above the rest—an unexpected and controversial sermon delivered during the inaugural prayer service.
This sermon, given by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, sparked intense discussions and even controversy due to the powerful themes she addressed, many of which surprised the audience, especially in the context of such a significant political event.
On Tuesday, inside Washington’s National Cathedral, Bishop Budde took the stage to deliver her 15-minute sermon. As she spoke, she seemed to be addressing more than just the audience present; her words were aimed directly at President Donald Trump. The bishop made a heartfelt appeal for mercy and understanding, addressing urgent social issues facing the nation.
“Mr. President, let me make one final plea,” Bishop Budde said, looking toward the president as she continued, “Millions have placed their trust in you. As you stated yesterday, you have experienced the guiding hand of a loving God. In God’s name, I implore you to show mercy to those in our nation who are currently living in fear.”
Her words rang out, directed toward President Trump as if asking for his attention. The audience could feel the weight of the moment. Bishop Budde didn’t shy away from speaking out about pressing issues. She highlighted the struggles of marginalized communities, particularly focusing on the fears faced by children in LGBTQIA+ families.
“There are children—gay, lesbian, and transgender—within families of all political affiliations: Democratic, Republican, and independent. Many of these children are living in fear for their lives,” she said. Her comment seemed to reflect the widespread concerns raised by the LGBTQIA+ community about the potential impact of Trump’s policies on their lives.
What made this sermon particularly impactful was the timing. It was given just one day after President Trump signed a series of controversial executive orders. These orders included a directive that reaffirmed the distinction between men and women based on biology, a national emergency declaration at the southern border, and measures related to immigration, including one aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Bishop Budde didn’t hold back when addressing these actions. “The individuals who harvest our crops, clean our office buildings, labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, wash dishes in restaurants, and work late-night shifts in hospitals—many of them may not hold citizenship or proper documentation.
However, the vast majority are not criminals. They contribute to our economy, pay taxes, and are good neighbors,” she said, making a powerful statement about the humanity of those affected by these policies.
This wasn’t the first time Bishop Budde had publicly criticized President Trump. In 2020, she had become a prominent figure when Trump posed for a photo outside St. John’s Episcopal Church, holding a Bible, while law enforcement used chemical agents to disperse protesters advocating for racial justice.
At that time, Bishop Budde had strongly condemned Trump’s actions, saying, “Everything he has done and said has only served to incite violence. We need moral leadership, and instead, he has sown division.”
Back at the inaugural prayer service, as Bishop Budde delivered her sermon, both President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance sat silently, showing little visible reaction. However, not everyone remained quiet.
Republican Representative Mike Collins from Georgia quickly took to social media, posting a harsh remark on X (formerly Twitter), “The person delivering this sermon should be added to the deportation list.”
The tension continued to rise as the sermon came to an end. In her closing remarks, Bishop Budde made one final appeal to President Trump. “I urge you, Mr. President, to show mercy to those in our communities whose children are terrified of losing their parents.
Extend compassion to those fleeing war and persecution in their homelands, seeking refuge here. Our faith calls us to be merciful to strangers, for we were once strangers in this land ourselves.”
As the service concluded and reporters later asked President Trump about his thoughts on the sermon, he gave a brief and somewhat dismissive response. “I didn’t think it was a good service,” he said, offering little else.
Bishop Budde’s sermon has certainly left many people talking, raising important questions about mercy, compassion, and the direction of the country. It has sparked intense debates, especially on social media, where people have shared their own views on what the bishop said and whether it should have been said in such a setting.
What do you think of Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon during President Trump’s inaugural prayer service? Was it an important call for compassion, or was it an inappropriate moment to speak out against the president’s policies? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
